If I were to describe what I’m feeling this week, it would be eagerness. In five days, we head out to California to see friends and family. We are going to have breakfast with friends we haven’t seen in probably two decades, but whom we connect with on Facebook. I’m going to see my brother and his wife; it’s been a few years since we’ve seen them. And the best part, our family is gathering to celebrate the 16th birthday of our middle grandson.
Yes, eager is what I am. Eager to get packed. Eager to get on the road. Eager to get there. Eager to hug everyone. Eager to be right in the middle of all that joy.
Paul reminds Titus that Christ Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness. Christ purifies us and calls us a people who are His very own. Then he defines us as being “zealous” to do what is good. [Titus 2:14 NKJV]
The Greek word for zealous is “zelotes” – the word from which we get our word zealot. “Zelotes” comes from a root word which means “to have warmth of feeling for or against.”
When the NIV translators came to Titus 2:14, they translated “zelotes” as “eager.” Christ redeems for Himself a people that are his very own, “eager to do what is good.”
I think I like that translation better. Zealous often reminds me (and perhaps others) of negative feelings. Eager conveys to me that “warmth of feeling for” something. I should be as eager to do what is good, as I am to go see my family and spend time with friends. Yes, I vote for eager.
